Cockpit voice and flight data recorders are in normal condition

MiG-29

MOSCOW, June 5. /TASS/. Cockpit voice and flight data recorders have been found on the site where an MiG-29 fighter jet crashed near Astrakhan on Thursday; their condition is normal and data are retrievable, a source at the Air Force Staff told TASS.

"The ‘black boxes are in normal condition and data is retrievable. They have been dispatched to Moscow for examination," the source said.

As for the causes for the accident, engine failure is believed to be the main one, the source said.

"According to preliminary findings, as the crew were flying a training mission over the Ashuluk proving ground, the plane’s power plant went out of order. The plane went uncontrollable and the pilots had to eject themselves," the source said.